The Dail horse, as it is called, wasn't running at Cheltenham this week, although many of its owners were - but it may have its first outing at Fairyhouse at Easter.
Despite several suggestions for its name, among them Objective One, Four More Years, Arctic Russian (something to do with a bull) and Seventeen, the national hunter, owned by 17 members of the Dail and Seanad, has ended up in traditional horsey fashion called Arctic Copper after its parentage and its colour. The owner is listed as The Grand Alliance to reflect the cross-party nature of the secret consortium that clubbed together for the purchase. The group, which includes a number of ministers and has FF, FG and PD members, doesn't want to be identified, but think of the usual suspects and you're nearly there. They feel their alliance will consolidate this Dail until 2002, and if any Labour member, whose party is not represented, wants a share, an extraordinary general meeting would be required.
Arctic Copper will run in the colours green, blue and yellow. Quidnunc's request for a photograph of the consortium and the horse during a recent visit to Noel Meade's stables in Co Meath, where training is in progress, was politely turned down.